North Devon eyes new cargo routes as Bideford seeks suitable and safe shipments

Last week, the Portuguese cargo ship Baltic Sun slipped quietly into the Torridge estuary, a rare sight at Appledore where only a handful of commercial vessels arrive each month.

Its visit comes as Torridge District Council continues efforts to revive short-sea shipping in the area.

Torridge District Council welcomed back cargo ships back to Appledore in 2024, ending a period of limited commercial vessel activity in the estuary.

Since then, the council has been exploring the use of short-sea shipping to transport goods directly to North Devon, benefiting both local businesses and the environment.

The Baltic Sun, built in 2022, docked at Appledore on 3 February, arriving from overseas, and departed on 5 February after just over two days in port. 

Measuring between 85-90 metres long and 12-14 metres wide, the ship carries a crew of 5-8 and operates under a NAABSA licence, meaning it is allowed to safely rest on the seabed at low tide.

Torridge District Council told the Gazette that they normally welcome one cargo ship a month, occasionally two depending on farm and feed requirements.

“We can accept up to four ships a month, but this is governed by the tidal cycle and available water,” a spokesperson said, adding that the maximum handled so far in a single month is three.

Currently, only one company imports animal feed via Appledore. 

However, the council is exploring opportunities to use short-sea routes for other cargo types, including clay, aggregates, scrap metal, road salt, and timber. 

Due to the dusty nature of feed cargo, unloading takes place at the Newquay dock in Appledore rather than the centre of Bideford to minimise disruption.

The council is working in partnership with Navantia, a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding and engineering company, to support safe and efficient shipping operations.

Navantia operates globally in civil and military shipbuilding, and in the UK its presence helps maintain maritime industrial capability at historic yards like Appledore.

The collaboration aims to combine local port knowledge with international expertise, creating opportunities for more goods to arrive by sea and reducing reliance on long road journeys.

Torridge District Council told the Gazette it continues to search for additional safe and suitable cargoes to bring to Bideford. 

Each short-sea shipment can remove dozens of lorry journeys from local roads, offering both economic and environmental benefits. 

With careful planning and tidal management, vessels like the Baltic Sun are expected to play an increasingly important role in the area’s freight transport.

As short-sea shipping grows, the sight of cargo ships in North Devon could become more frequent, linking the region to international trade while supporting local communities.